4GB DDR2 800, Mushkin or Corsair

[moshenokoji]

Not to long ago my ASUS socket 939 board died and I decided to rebuild my system as buying a new 939 board just wouldn't be worth it. So I decided to pick up the new Intel E8400 and a GA-P35-DS4 motherboard, now I need RAM. I've been doing alot of research on DDR2 lately, as the board will accept up to DDR2 1066. But since the E8400's FSB is 1333, and dual channel 1066 is 2132, well you get the idea. And considering the fact that DDR2 1066 is just factory OCed 800 chips, I figured i can OC it myself. So I was looking around for cheaper alternatives and I saw that 4GB of DDR2 800 is the same price as 2GB of DDR2 1066, so the choice seems very clear. I want 4GB of RAM.

SO what would you guys get? the Corsair or the Mushkin, links are provided. I've always used Corsair in the past for all of my builds. But the same goes for AMD, this is my first Intel system since the Pentium 3. So maybe change is good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731 - Mushkin

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184 - Corsair

 

[teh_boxzor]

don't get the newer revision XMS2's some of them are cheaper RAM than their older revision counterparts. I have in my system a revisions 4.1 92x512mb) and that thing lets me OC, than i got 2x1gb revision 5.2 and i can't even bump my FSB up one or else BIOS tells me to reset CPU frequencies

 

[bunkgoats]

This question is really one of personal preference. You cannot go wrong with either. Without intending to complicate your decision I will offer a third alternative. Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 kits can be had for $55 after MIR. I bought two of them and received both my rebates in a timely manner.

All three of these brands are great. I will mention that Corsair uses Brainpower PCBs and that Mushkin uses a PCB that is in strict compliance with JEDEC standards. Some enthusiast prefer the Brainpower PCBs as in their estimation it overclocks better. If your motherboard is picky about RAM then it may not be for you.

 

[ausch30]

I would go with the Mushkin I am using their XP2 memory and couldn't be happier.

 

[bobbknight]

The best Ram on the market now is made with the Micron D9 chips go for that and be happy.

 

[moshenokoji]

I'd love to get some Crucial Ballistix DDR2 800, but I couldn't find Ballisitx in a 2GB DIMM on newegg. I really want to run 4GB of RAM, i know it's a little overkill, but with 4GB i won't have to upgrade for a while. I think i might get the Mushkin. As for the Micron D9 chips, how can I tell if the memory on the PCB is the D9??

 

[bstep1989]

if it is D9 it will tell you, no guessing or work involved, just go to product specifications, and if it is micron D9 it will let you know

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231136
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220267

if you are not planning on going for more than 4GB of RAM before your next new build, 4 1 gig sticks both running in dual channel mode will give you a little more performance, or instead of these, getting two separate 2x1GB kits and using both of those each in Dual Channel mode, not by much but a little bit faster than 2x2GB sticks running in Dual Channel mode

 

[moshenokoji]

I really wanna get the 2X 2GB sticks that way I'm only using 2 slots of RAM and not maxing my motherboard's RAM slots right off the bat. I'd really like to get my PC built, but the UPS man wussed out and wouldn't drive up my hill cause it was "snowy". makes me lol, cause i drove up it in my lil 98 Ford ZX2 without a problem and it doesn't even have snow tires.

 

[teh_boxzor]

http://ramlist.ath.cx/ddr2/


remember Micron D9's are what you are aiming for. and it shows the Corsairs (new revisions) use proMOS chips....

 

[moshenokoji]

That is an amazing link. Thank you very much.

These look like they have the Micron D9 chips. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

 

[Xtreeme]

That list isnt 100% complete though. I have Corsair DHX (not listed or specified different form XMS in his list which is not helping me find it). Its timings are 5-5-5-18 at 1.9v which is not there at all.Any programs that read the chip and tell what you have?

 

[james_8970]

The D9 IC's are not dense enough to create a 2GB stick.
James

 

[teh_boxzor]

i don't know if it's complete or not, but i think the DHX XMS falls under the pc2 6400 category. because it is not cas 4 or 3. Or just look at what revision our DHX is...I think the only difference between XMS2 and DHX XMS is the heat spreader.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

Just to clarify a few things that are incorrect:

1. Micron D9s do come in 128mb ICs, which is what is needed to make 2gb modules.

2. These ICs, D9 NHL, do not OC as well as their 64mb cousins, the GMH, GKX, etc.

3. We use ONLY Micron D9s in our 2gb XMS2 and DHX DDR2 modules at this time.

4. The RAMLIST linked here is often inaccurate.

 

[Xtreeme]

TWIN2X2048-6400C5DHX is what I have. They are 1gb sticks.

3. We use ONLY Micron D9s in our 2gb XMS2 and DHX DDR2 modules at this time.

Just to make sure I understand, does this mean all DHX ram or just DHX that are 2gb each.

 

[Xtreeme]

Anyone know? Is it all DHX ram, or just the 4gb kits that are 2gb sticks each.

 

[kumurick]

I found this thread in a search.

I'm currently using an AMD 64 3600 on a GIGABYTE MB GA-K8NF-9 (Rev 1)
My boot disc is an early 74GB Raptor and and I'm using 4 x 512Mb of Corsair memory. My MB will take up to 4GB of DDR400 Memory from what I understand and as of now, I've done no OC. I'm not gaming and do alot of photoshop stuff and would like to watch movies

I'm reading lots of stuff about the Brainpower PCB memory and now the D9 and in just replacing my failed video card with an upgraded unit, I'm interested in making the most of my motherboard. I've also added a fan and am intent on adding one more.

Thanks in advance

**edit**
Whoops, I guess I should ask my question...
...that being 4 parts:

A) I'm under the impression that I can't OC my processor and that what my bios tells me is 200 is really double that at 400. This adds to my confusion and since everything seems to work ok, I've let it go. Of course, if my system has more horsepower just sitting there, then it would be nice to tap into it and likewise in purchasing new/more memory. If spending a few extra bucks and getting a little education on OC'ing will allow me to really make use of my money already spent, then I'm all for it. So what do you guys think. Will my rig OC ?

B) Cost aside, is there a true functional advantage to going with 2 x 2 Gig sticks vs 4 x 1 Gig sticks?

C) What is the best choice for memory right now.

My corsair has been good so far but I have another board running at home with OCZ that has also been great and I've read great things recently on it but I can't find anything in 1 or 2 Gig sticks at newegg?

Thanks Again,
Rick

 

[kumurick]

bump